Hockey World League Semifinal Highlights: Australia Beat India 6-2, Finish on Top of Pool A
Australia showcased formidable hockey to outclass India in the final match of Pool A. Cracks in Indian defense will need to be mended urgently.
Australia registered a comprehensive performance against India to finish Pool A with 12 points courtesy four wins in four matches. Here are the highlights from the match:
(All times in IST and/or match times):
Australia finish with 12 points - four wins from four matches. India end Pool A campaign second but with five points separating them from the Aussies.
Final ring brings the match to a close. Dominant performance from Aussies as they finish on top of Pool A. A 6-2 scoreline reveals major cracks in Indian defense.
56': It's about going through the motions in the final few minutes. Both teams making the runs but it's really about possession rather than goals here.
51': Goal! India pull one back. Ramandeep guides the ball in but excellent work from Sardar and Dharamvir to feed him the ball. India 2-6 vs Australia.
49': The speed of play has been brought down by both teams. India looking to save some face but struggle to keep possession of the ball.
End of 3rd quarter.
43': Aussies pick up another PC. Stick-check from Lakra. Referee signals PC, then stroke, then PC again.
Goal! Ciriello fires one in to complete a hat-trick. Aussies are now hardly even celebrating their goals - are 6-1 up.
43': Goal! Govers slams his fourth goal of the tournament from close range. Australia 5-1 vs India.
41': Australia earn their fourth PC of the match. India go for the referral and get it their way. Match to resume as is.
36': Indians look to take advantage of their solitary goal, make brave forays into Aussie D. Finishing leaves a bit to be desired from. Top marks for aggression though.
34': Goal! India get a PC. The shot is blocked but Birendra Lakra slams in the rebound. India 1-4 vs Australia.
Third quarter begins with Aussies getting a PC within minutes.
And its another goal! Ciriello takes a clean shot towards the left. Australia 4-0 vs India (33')
End of first two quarters. Aussies have 3-0 advantage and promise a lot more as long as the Indian defense continues to roll right over.
28': Another penalty corner to the Aussies! No good this time as Sreejesh dives full-length to his right to thwart shot from Govers. Is it a bird, is it a plane? No , it's just PR Sreejesh!
26': Penalty corner to Aussies! And it's another goal!
Sreejesh blocks the main shot from Ciriello but Indian defenders look at the ball like it's a bomb. Ciriello makes most of it, slams it in the right corner and Aussies take 3-0 lead.
23': Dwyer lurking around the Indian D like a lion around a heard of buffaloes. He has hunted down one goal but it clearly is not enough for the Aussie veteran.
21': Good move from Sardar and Akashdeep on the Aussie D. It comes to nothing though. The one-off chance brings about a flutter - and then a groan - from the Indians in the stands.
17': Not much to report from the second quarter. Aussies still finding unmarked Aussies. Indians still running around clueless. Sreejesh still screaming his lungs out.
16': Aussies have had way too much space to move. It needs to be closed in and closed in urgently. Second quarter begins...
End of 1st quarter and the Indian defenders would be quite 'relieved.' Aussies only 2-0 up - could have been more if not for Sreejesh.
14': Goal! Dwyer gets a beautiful pass through the legs of Sardar and a back-shot sizzles past an off-balance Sreejesh. Australia 2-0 vs India.
11': Sreejesh makes a brave safe. Blake looked to double the lead but the Indian custodian thwarted the shot. Meanwhile, Indian defenders continue to nap under the Belgian sun.
10': Aussies looking to build on their lead. Forwards making good runs. Another lapse from the Indians can be a massive setback.
8': Goal! Major defensive blunder from the Indians as Aran is left unmarked. Dwyer - toying with the ball and almost mocking the Indians - makes a clean pass and Aran slams it between the legs of Sreejesh. Australia 1-0 vs India.
4': Indians passing well. Long , sweeping shots to one another which makes it look like they are testing waters.
1': Aussies go on the move early. Use the wings to create some inroads. Jamie Dwyer moves quick. A bit of fumble from the blues but nothing remotely dangerous and the Aussie is crowded out.
1931 hrs: The match is being played at the Dragons Hockey Club. Founded in 1946, this venue has a rich hockey tradition in Belgium.Focus for now is on the field with the sea of yellow and blue in the stands.It's a go here...
1930 hrs: Players make their way out to the middle. Handshakes all around - they know each other well considering the amount of matches they have played. Both the teams have not lost a single match in the tournament so far, although India drew Pakistan in the previous encounter.
1928 hrs: Top scorers in Hockey World League so far -
For Australia - Govers with five goals.
For India - Ramandeep with three goals.
1924 hrs: Did you know? India has only converted 31% of penalty corners since June 2014. The team will have to improve upon that to bring down the Aussies.
1920 hrs: Aussies have a better overall result in recent years against India.-India though won the Sultan Azlan Shah clash earlier in the year and the Test series last year. Aussie coach Graham Reid therefore isn't taking things lightly today. "We have beaten India often but they have improved each time they have come out against us. We will be targeting their main stars today," he said.
© NDTV
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© NDTV
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